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Earthquakes rare but possible for region

SILVER CITY >>According to Rich Briggs of the U.S. Geological Survey, the 5.2 magnitude quake that hit southeastern Arizona Saturday night at 11 p.m. MST can happen in the area. The quake was felt throughout southwestern New Mexico. Silver City is 50 miles from the epicenter.

"Earthquakes in the magnitude five range can happen in most regions of the U.S. but are rare in this area," Briggs said through email. "In the 40 years prior to this earthquake, the U.S.G.S. only recorded 11 earthquakes larger than magnitude 3.0 within 150 km (approx. 90 miles) of this earthquake."

Briggs said the earthquake that hit Saturday night occurred in a mountainous region with known active faults and elevated hazard relative to other places in the country. He described the quake as "a rare, but not completely unforeseen event."

One Silver City homeowner, Rob Cassell, said he found a crack in the floor of a closet in a bedroom in his house after the earthquake occurred and also said he found some small cracks in the wall. Cassell said he didn't think his neighbors' homes had suffered any damaged, however.

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